CarComplaints.com Notes: As long as catastrophic engine failure at under 60,000 miles is the top owner complaint, it'll be pretty hard to recommend the 2012 Sorento.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
10 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,943 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The airbag light is on. Local Kia dealer closing so not taking appointments. Took it to two different mechanics both recommended checking to see if there is a recall. Their computer said high resistance in steering wheel airbag. Light is on whether sitting in the car or not sitting in it but ignition on. As long as car is on light is on. It has about 79,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated while driving. The contact was concerned that the air bag could deploy. The vehicle was taken to union city auto mall (4080 jonesboro rd, union city, ga 30291, (770) 964-3825) and the air bag sensor was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 192,892.
My airbag light went off a few months ago. I originally thought is was a short because it went off anytime I moved the passenger seat around. I had my service tech check it a few times, and he reset it. He eventually said I should take it to Kia. They diagnosed it and said the OCS mat was bad. It was the passenger seat occupancy sensor. I was quoted $2601.29 for just the part! they said I needed the whole cushion assembly. This is totally ridiculous. Imo, they should put a backup switch to override this if they're going to put faulty parts in their seats. Or, they should construct a better way to repair these without a complete seat replacement. It basically means, if I was in a head on collision, the passenger side airbag wouldn't think anyone is present in the seat. So, it wouldn't trigger the airbag on that side. I've contemplated building a bypass to force the airbag to go off even if no one is in the seat during a collision. It was so bad for the 2009 version, that you can purchase the bypass for $50. But, there's no good documentation on the 2012 model. I do have 142,000 miles on the car. But, I would bet that the passenger seat has been used about 30% of that. So, this is a case of a bad part. I have pampered this car. It still looks new. I paid it off and had planned to drive it until it blew up. Now, I'm considering getting rid of it and buying a new car. I'd prefer to drive free for awhile. But, I'm certainly not paying $3000 to fix this. I knew they had a recall on previous models for this exact same thing. I'm not convinced they changed anything for the 2012 model. But, that's just my opinion. I can provide additional documentation for this as needed.
The air bag light on the front panel turned on when the car had about 90,000 miles with no accident or other issue. The Kia dealer inspected the vehicle and let me know that the air bag module and the air bag at the driver's side has to be replaced at a cost of more than $800 in pr. They also told me that the air bags may not work properly in case of an accident while this light is on. I consider that this is a safety issue and has to be addressed by the manufacturer as it is not related to an accident or any event caused by the consumer. Instead, the issue just appeared with time and now our safety is at risk.
SRS, airbag module light on constantly replacing bulbs June 2018, 88kmikes airbag warning light came on and wont go out after several attempts at resetting. Dealer stated it is the airbag module, not covered under warranty and would cost $750-$800 to repair and reset
- Valdosta, GA, USA
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Airbag light is on. Code says it is a passenger seat body sensor mat. Kia has a service campaign for many airbag issues, but says this is not a problem
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator was illuminated for approximately two months, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (mentor Kia in mentor, Ohio, 440-953-1000) where it was diagnosed that the driver's side air bag seat sensor was defective and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.
Hello, I am 2nd owner @51,000 K with no known accidents to this SUV. From 51,073K I discovered the 2nd row seat latch was faulty and I couldn't fold the seat down. I had the latch replaced and it was fine and only used it about eight imes. Then @ 68,000K found it was using/ burning oil. The repair cost quoted for this is $3,600. Ever since I've had to add up to four quarts of 5W20 between oil changes. At 85,000K the same seat latch quit working again. I was quoted $110 for the replacement latch and book install calls for 3.1 hours equalling close to $340. Also from 87,000K to current (116,007K) there has been a slurry of seemingly random oddities: A) the electrical system has had five glitches. Moments lasting less than 40 sec. Where all the warning lights flash and chimes sound, completely out of the blue. It has happened while driving, while parked but running and when starting after getting fuel. B) the ignition switch sticks occ. Which sounds the 'key in' chime and prevents doors from locking. C) there is an insane amount of air flow coming in around the door hinge areas, center console/ arm rest and beneath the seats; front and back. Temporary fix, in the ia winters my children and I have blankets over our laps and behind our legs...and the extra winter garm is strategically placed to try and block air flow. D)the motor makes a ping/ knock, metal on metal sound @69K. Fresh to 72hr oil its fine.E) the driver airbag light came on @115,996K. I drove to town, 7.4 miles, the light was off, nothing wrong. I parked, left SUV running at the gas, ran inside to grab coffee and doughnuts, came out less than five mins later and saw the light on. Stayed on after I buckled. Thankfully it's not flashing, just on, as of 7:36am on 3/31/18. Please help. I'm one adult trying to care for two kids. My children and other drivers need better safety than this. Thank you
SRS light has come on. Initially took it into a dealership in 8/2017, was told they were able to reset the sensor and the light went off. It has since come back on and now I am told I have to replace the OCS mat and it will cost me $1900. This is a safety issue and should be covered under the warranty. SRS light came on for no reason
Takata recall" air bag light is on for no reason!!! please investigate!! there are over 2000 complaints online for the same issue, Kia wants to charge $2000 to repair seat or sensor?" I cannot get my car inspected!! furious-this is a recall- I did not beak my air bag!!! please check complaints online with same issue there are thousands!!!!!!! for 2012 Kia Sorento - please help!!! so tired of being ripped
Hi - today, on my way to the park - a 10 min drive, the airbag light turned on. I have not been in an accident and my car has almost 130,000 miles. Readying online - I am dreading to go to the dealership. I did find a post that in February of 2016 - Kia issued a service bulletin but there is no number attached, therefore, I am guessing I will have to pay for it. Has there been any new developments on this issue? if so, please contact me.
The contact owned a 2012 Kia Sorento. While driving 20-25 mph and making a left turn, the vehicle was struck on the rear passenger door and rear quarter panel. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with rear passenger side curtain air bags, which failed to deploy. The contact was transported by ambulance to a hospital for a fractured collar bone, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed. Jenkins Kia of gainesville (3345 N main St, gainesville, fl 32609, (855) 764-9404) was contacted, but the dealer was unable to read the data from the black box in the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was not available.
98,000 miles. Air bag light staying on for no reason. Took to Kia dealership. Code 1764 OCS mat defect. Has to do with mat on seat of front passenger to detect passenger and weight. Price to fix $2000 that is ridiculous! I have seen tons of reports of this issue on Kia Sorentos. They advertise for their safety and that is why I purchased this vehicle new. I have never had any vehicle that had issues with the air bag systems. This is a common problem and should be recalled on these vehicles. Kia should be ashamed of themselves for not fixing this recurring issue, .
The air bag warning light came on at about 77K miles and will not go off. This appears to be a recurring problem with the vehicle in seeing postings online.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Sorento. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (fort myer Kia) where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,478. Updated 08/22/17 updated 8/25/2017
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Porter Ranch, CA, USA